TULASIPUR/KATHMANDU: Dang district has been declared riot-hit till September 8 as per the Local Administration Act. Chief District Officer confirmed that the decision was made and it was effective from 8 pm this evening.

The declaration will let the Chief District Officer mobilise army, if need be.The Security Committee’s meeting held this evening made the decision preemptively, taking into consideration volatile situation in the district amid protests demanding a separate Tharuhat state.

According to CDO Lokanath Poudel, the riot-hit zone would include areas from Rampur VDC building in the east to Ghorahi Municipality as well as Laxmipur VDC and adjoining areas as far as one kilometre in the west.

Also, it would include the areas along the Ghorahi-Tulasipur roadsection, Lamahi Municipality, Ameliya-Dhankhola roadsection along the East-West Highway and areas around one kilometre radius of the central point of Gadhwa Bazaar.

All kinds of protests and gatherings are prohibited in the riot-hit zone.

Security personnel have shoot-at-sight orders against those involved in vandalism and arson of public property.